Shock continue domination of Fever
Spokane jumps on Tri-Cities early
Tri-Cities fumbled on its first two plays from scrimmage and Spokane capitalized with a pair of quick touchdowns, propelling the Shock to an easy 61-20 arenafootball2 victory Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.
The top-ranked Shock (9-0) defeated their closest geographic rivals for the second time this season and the sixth straight time overall. Spokane, which has won 15 consecutive road games since losing to the Fever in June 2007, has a bye next week before visiting Stockton on June 12.
Tri-Cities, stung by five turnovers and 14 penalties, dropped to 1-8.
Defensive back Stanley Franks forced a Fever fumble on the first play and Justin Warren recovered. Quarterback Nick Davila scored four plays later and Spokane led 7-0.
Tri-Cities botched the center-quarterback exchange on its ensuing play from scrimmage and Spokane’s Jeff Van Orsow scooped up the football and scored.
Davila tossed two touchdown passes to Pasco native Raul Vijil and one to Andy Olson, and Kevin McCullough had a 1-yard TD run as the Shock led 42-20 at half.
McCullough and Sergio Gilliam each had first-half interceptions. Spokane lost two fumbles in the opening half, but overcame those by registering five defensive stops, including four turnovers.
Fever receiver Tremayne Kirkland, traded by the Shock prior to the season, had three touchdown catches in the first half. He finished with eight receptions for 137 yards.
Spokane outscored the Fever 19-0 in the second half. The Shock chewed up nearly eight minutes of the third quarter on their opening possession, capped by Davila’s 1-yard keeper for a 48-20 lead.
Gilliam recovered a Fever fumble inside the Shock 5-yard line and returned it for a touchdown, hiking Spokane’s lead to 54-20 late in the third quarter.
Davila finished 19 of 25 for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Backup quarterback Casey Hansen connected with Markee White for Spokane’s final touchdown.
Boise (7-2) defeated Amarillo to remain two games behind the Shock in the West Division. Spokane is 7-0 against division opponents.